Kenosha---One by one, the city's four year-old Habitat for Humanity program is helping families gain a foothold to financial security by providing new homes with interest-free mortgages. But these days, there’s an added, coincidental benefit.
The non-profit is also strengthening an entire neighborhood. ‘Habitat’ is in the process of acquiring lots for its third and fourth homes in the Wilson neighborhood on the city’s north side. The area, once known for blocks and blocks of four-unit apartment buildings, is being transformed.
For the past several years, the city has been buying up the dilapidated buildings and tearing them down. Habitat for Humanity has been snapping up some of the empty lots. Chapter director Fran Hansen: "The neighborhood is very nice. It seems to be changing. We're bringing in an element to help that along. It seems to be a good fit for us."
Habitat’s two newest projects are to go before the Plan Commission for a rezoning change request Thursday.
The lots are side-by-side next to a church on 38th Avenue.
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